ought to know what to do with your prisoneh."

"I'm dashed if I do," objected the simple-hearted Mr. Biggin. "I
allowed you wanted him."

Winton laughed openly.

"Simplify it for him, Mr. Darrah. We all know that it was your move to
stop the work, and you have stopped it--for the moment. What is the
charge, and where is it answerable?"

The Rajah dropped the mask and spoke to the point.

"The cha'ge, seh, is trespass, and it is answerable in Judge
Whitcomb's cou't in Carbonate. The plaintiff in this particular case
is John Doe, the supposable owneh of that mining claim up yondeh. In
the next it will probably be Richa'd Roe. You are fighting a losing
battle, seh."

Winton's smile showed his teeth.

"That remains to be seen," he countered coolly.

The Rajah waved a shapely hand toward the opposite embankment, where
the tracklayers were idling in silent groups waiting for some one in
authority to tell them what to do.

"We can do that every day, Misteh Winton. And each separate individual
arrest will cost your company twelve hours, or such a matteh--the time
required for you to go to Carbonate to give bond for your appearance."